Closet Visit Steph

When I was home for Christmas weekend I visited my friend, Steph's closet. She has made a new year's resolution to stop wearing clothes and to start wearing outfits! Since I fully support this concept (duh) I had a look-see of how she can start achieving that with her current wardrobe.

The closet:

There were ALOT of jeans and tshirts up in this piece. But I immediately found the two blazers in the bunch and we started making outfits:

We put together a New Year's Eve/Dinner Out look.

Then we layered up some of her jewelry. Just like clothes you can also layer bracelets and necklaces (even rings) to add dimensions to your outfit.

Same jeans with a patterned blouse and more fitted blazer for a work outfit. And check out the shoes:

Steph has some great shoes!

Same blazer with different jeans and a blouse layered under a sweater, for another work outfit. We also talked about playing off different lengths. Here we have a tunic sweater with the somewhat cropped blazer, which creates interest and shows that there's thought put into the outfit.

Here we put a multi-chain necklace under the collar of the shirt. I've noticed a lot of ladies will wear shorter necklaces on the skin with collared shirts, but don't be afraid to wear longer/tiered pieces under the collar. Especially if you want to button all the way up.

The details on these shoes create some texture in an all grey look.

Steph had this cropped trench jacket and didn't know how to wear it. We paired it with a cute little dress and strappy heels to play off the proportions of this jacket. This is reminiscent of the '90s, which I love and it also brought around a discussion of how to show off some skin, but still be appropriate. I advised her to also pair this jacket with trouser/flared jeans to emphasis (but not be engulfed by) the Aline cut of the jacket.

I found this super cute summer dress that we "winterized." Taking the blazer of the first look and another grey v-neck sweater we re-purposed this dress for the current season. Especially with the boots (and the fact the dress is lined) she can wear this even when its chilly.

I really dig the how the blazer's cuff lining adds more dimension.

Overall Steph was very pleased with my visit and realized in between the t-shirts and jeans she has some great pieces that she can utilize in 2012. I advised her to take a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and just throw her clothes on the bed and start trying pieces on together. Its all about experimentation and not being deterred if things don't work. During this process I suggested playing some fun music and opening a bottle of wine.

Steph also had some great purses and has devised an ingenious way of storing them:

I may have to appropriate this strategy.

We also went online together and I shared with her some of my favorite online retailers and blogs from which I find inspiration. Good Luck Steph for a 2012 of outfits, not just clothes!

If you are interested in having a closet visit (and you live in the Pittsburgh or surrounding area) email me at bernadetteulsamer@gmail.com

Two Things

First: Isabel Marant's collocation for H&M debuts today in select stores AND online at noon, so you may want to get up on that. Here are a few looks I'm lusting after. Hello mixed patterns! Love the oversized coat and the detail on these jeans. Patterned blazer, cropped colorful trousers, yes please! Of course, I cannot partake in this collection with my Year Of No Shopping, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. So get ready to go by noon because I'm sure this noise will sell out fast. Number Two: I'm thinking about a new haircut. Something along the lines of Tilda Swinton . What do we think? I'm not going to go blond, but I like the shorter/buzzed sides and back with length on the top. Mr. Keller is hesitant, he thinks it's too masculine, but I'm kind of in the mood to go a bit edgy and I've had the same cut now for two-ish years... FYI: Tilda Swinton is my spirit animal!

Nasty Gal

Since the weather has been horrible I've been consoling myself with online shopping. And have made my first purchase with Nasty Gal : Lacy Chiffon Blouse Yuma Studded Blouse Alva Knit Dotted Stud Blouse Apparently I'm having a button-up shirt craving. I think all three of these shirts could work with the sweater, which is an alternative to your basic pull-over and may be a bit too edgy for work. But, I'm thinking a conservative wool trousers would nicely balance it out. And in writing this I've come to the realization that my work "uniform" for the rest of the winter will focus on mixing edgy pieces, (or items with unexpected details) with conservative basics. That might not always actually happen, but it's a good starting off point in planning a week's office wear. Okay, enough of my pontificating, go check out the sale over at Nasty Gal there are some great deals to be had.

Mid-Summer Sales!!!!

It's time for one of my all time favorite summer activities! No, not bbq and fireworks, but the mid-summer/4th of July sales!!! There are bargains to be had everywhere you turn and I've already scored some deals here this past week! From Zara 's Sale: Waistband Trousers Oversized Tee From J.Crew : Linen Shorts Side-Slit Tee And a few pieces I'm thinking of from ModCloth : ModCloth T-Shirt Dress Chambray Tunic True, these pieces are a bit "basic" but I'm thinking of the 80/20 Wardrobe Plan . 80% of your closet serves as foundation/workhorse pieces with 20% consisting of statement, more fanciful items. Like this "coatigan" from Nasty Gal Wool Coatigan Just think how this coat/cardi hybrid will pop against the t-shirt dress above, and/or the grey pants and either t-shirt, for a solid 80/20 outfit! Regardless of how you approach your mid-season shopping the point is to get up on the

Outfits Not Just Clothes

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